Whether it was the green and gold, or the red, white and blue, Perth pulled out all the stops to make Australia Day 2015 a colourful affair.
From late morning, patriotic revellers claimed the prime viewing positions for fireworks displays across town – the two biggest being the Perth Skyworks and the Indian Ocean Fireworks off the Fremantle coast.
An estimated 300,000 people lined the banks of the Swan River, with patriotic festivities held throughout the day at Langley Park, the South Perth Foreshore and Kings Park.
View from The Lord Mayoral office at 2.30pm as the boats start gathering for
#Skyworks2015
#HappyAustraliaDay
pic.twitter.com/EMNduIzAhU — Lisa Scaffidi (@LisaScafPerthLM)
January 26, 2015
Huge group from
@FGamesPerth celebrate
#AusDayWA
#AustraliaDay
@GovHouseWA with Her Excellency. Happy Australia Day!
pic.twitter.com/Pv45cs39bC — ausdaywa (@ausdaywa)
January 26, 2015
A police spokeswoman said the crowds had been relatively well behaved during the day, with 23 arrests and 78 cautions issued statewide as at 9.00pm.
In the leadup to the Skyworks, 60,000 flags were distributed by volunteers ahead of a world record flag-waving attempt at 7.30pm.
According to Guinness World Records, the number to beat was 56,618, with that record set at a youth festival in Pakistan last year.
For the first time, a special Survival Day concert was held at Supreme Court Gardens to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture.
At Survival Day Concert with
#IndigenousServicesAustralia
#TonyShaw
#Merindas
#Dulcitones A great family afternoon!
pic.twitter.com/CkkvCkMF6K — Deidre Willmott (@CCI_CEO)
January 26, 2015
Temperatures across much of the metropolitan area peaked at 37 degrees, meaning our famous coastline was a popular choice.
Who needs bondi ;)
@WestAustralia
@tweetperth
@perthnow
@ExperiencePerth
#AustraliaDay
#perth
#mullaloo
#beaches
pic.twitter.com/31saNEOY6V — Elizabeth Christou (@Lizchristou)
January 26, 2015
A record-breaking throng of giant inflatable thongs floated along Cottesloe Beach, as 2,200 people participated in the Havaianas Thong Challenge shortly before noon.
Not only did the sandgropers take out the national challenge, but organisers said participants set a new world record, something Cottesloe Surf Life Saving Club President Ben Stephens put down to "strong community spirit".
"Everyone gets behind the surf club and has a great day out on the water together – it's what Australia Day is all about," he said.
Earlier in the day, nearly 16,000 people were formally welcomed as citizens of Australia at ceremonies across the nation.
The largest gathering was held in the City of Wanneroo, where more than 600 people from 55 countries recited the pledge and received their certificates.
How did you celebrate Australia Day? Tell us in the comments below, or send your photographs to news@watoday.com.au.
